Alan "Buzz" Fink

National Director Candidate

D-13652

For the last few years while attending USPA BoD meetings, I watched as some would have USPA charge more, provide less and regulate more. Here is where I stand: Basic Safety Requirements should be just that-BASIC Safety Requirements. USPA's priorities should be as follows (not necessarily in this order):

1. Keep skydivers skydiving. This means closely watching legislative actions and taking action in the interest of skydivers.
2. Support Safety & Training programs. Design and produce guidelines, bulletins and programs that better educate and train jumpers through recommendations. Don't over-regulate! Ask the members and rating holders for input before arbitrarily changing programs.
3. Support a National Competition that addresses the needs of the Competitors. Ask the competitors for their input prior to making major changes.
4. Ensure USPA is responsive to the needs of the members. Don't let the Bureaucracy or power struggles get in the way of the needs of the members. Listen to the concerns of members. The members must always come first.
5. USPA should NOT mandate AAD requirements but rather keep it a recommendation.

BOTTOM LINE: USPA is not the Board of Directors. USPA is not the paid staff at headquarters. USPA is YOU, and your fellow skydivers. This should always be first and foremost in the minds of the Board of Directors and the Headquarters staff.

Alan "Buzz" Fink